I am about halfway through the Master Gardener semester and we need to start presenting our list of ideas for projects. What are some of of your favorite projects and/or project ideas?

Hello! I'm not 100% sure if I'm posting this is the right subreddit per-say, but here it goes.

I'm looking for a little help, I'm brand new to all of this and I would absolutely appreciate as much help and suggestions as I can get.

I have a hill, roughly 10ft from my front door that is non-traversable due to its steep grade.

I also have horrible erosion problems and would like to slow the wash down as much as possible.

The hill is mostly covered with leaves, various forms of weeds and grass and the occasional pine/oak/birch tree.

At the base are a few misc Azalea plants. I'm looking for a very low maintenance ground cover that does well for erosion control, as well as in a fairly shaded section of the yard. Roughly 4 or 5 hours of sun in various spots throughout the day.

I live in the middle eastern side of Mississippi. We have hot summers, and low rain per year.

I would really enjoy something that is a breeze to plant over the mild patches of grass that we currently have here and there. I don't have much of an option to till, or take the land due to the steep incline.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I'm currently limited to planting my precious taters (please feel free to 'Smeagol-ize this phrase as you read it in your head') in bags because the woman who owns the house and yard where I rent "heard somewhere" that potatoes will just overtake the yard and, therefore, will not permit me to freely and openly cultivate the russety goodness . I've done my research and can't find any instances of this sort of thing happening or being talked about but, if I could get your expert advice on potato-ing in order to help me put an end to any unwarranted tuber apprehension, I would be very grateful!

Hi! I am trying to grow blueberries in containers but after a few months, they've stopped producing blueberries (they have new leaf growth though). I got a soil meter, which I know are very unreliable, however it shows that my soil is very basic. I originally used azalea/acidic plant soil and once I realized the soil is basic, added Espoma soil acidifier. The reader still is showing the soil is basic and now the leaves are yellowing. I'm not sure if I need to replant them in a larger container with stronger soil amenders...? Any suggestions? They get so much sun and consistent water so I really don't think it's that.

We were away for a week and came back to this.

Is the tree alive? Can someone let us know what is happening and what we need to do ?

https://preview.redd.it/kldhaxthcmbd1.jpg?width=693&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22283504e147bd145329055f5e9f1df2b8eb8796

https://preview.redd.it/dcoyvwthcmbd1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f45072dd8777e569cf3e46ab8ee8b42895d1c812

We bought a cabin up in northern Wisconsin three years ago and there are hundreds of irises and none of them have bloomed. There seems to be enough space in between them, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Is it that they're too old? They could be from as early as the 80s or as early as 2000s but I'm not sure.I thought they would last forever but we have had no blooms. Do I need to add fertilizer or dig them up and start fresh? Thank you for any advice.

Will they pollinate each other??

Hello, I’m a Master Gardener with Tennessee Extension; I’ve been certified for 3 years now and I’ve been asked to start training with the lead of one of our regular projects, with the plan that I will take over as the lead next year.

The organization I’m working with has had some changes to leadership and twice this year, they have asked if MGs would assist and both times we arrived on the schedule work day to find that the project really isn’t anywhere near ready for the gardeners to come in.

After a frustrating experience today, I’m wondering how other counties coordinate projects with organizations that want MGs to assist.

Do you have organizations apply? Do they need a meeting beforehand?

I’d love any information you can share. Thanks!

My dog just munched on this plant, growing on treebed in Chicago

Hello Master Gardeners! I, too, am a master gardener (Purdue course), and I just revived an old YouTube channel I started years ago. I would love advice from real world skilled gardeners.

Here’s my most recent video. It’s only a minute long. https://youtube.com/shorts/fvyuVdAp8nQ?si=lK3-bbbpm3Jgx4jD

If you wouldn’t mind critiquing any part of the video it would be so appreciated.

And a follow-up question: What is your favorite YouTube plant or gardening channel? And what specifically about your favorite channel makes you like it?

Thanks so much!

The Virginia Cooperative Extension updated their book this year. This is what they use to teach Master Gardeners in the state of Virginia. It is available for free here or it is available for purchase here.

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a design science for creating sustainable human habitats. It is based on the principles of ecology, and it seeks to create systems that are productive, resilient, and beneficial to both people and the environment.

Permaculture can be applied to a wide range of scales, from small backyard gardens to large-scale farms and communities. It can be used to grow food, manage water resources, create energy systems, and build structures.

Why Permaculture Should Be Used in Master Gardener Classes

There are many reasons why permaculture should be used in Master Gardener classes. First, permaculture is a holistic approach to gardening that takes into account the entire system, rather than just individual plants or animals. This makes it a more sustainable and productive way to garden.

Second, permaculture is a design-based approach to gardening. This means that Master Gardeners can learn how to create systems that are tailored to the specific needs of their individual gardens. This can help them to be more successful in their gardening efforts.

Third, permaculture is a systems-thinking approach to gardening. This means that Master Gardeners can learn how to think about their gardens in terms of the interactions between different elements, such as plants, animals, and the environment. This can help them to create more resilient and productive gardens.

Fourth, permaculture is a community-based approach to gardening. This means that Master Gardeners can learn how to work with others to create sustainable and productive gardens. This can help to build stronger communities and create a more sustainable future.

How Permaculture Can Be Taught in Master Gardener Classes

Permaculture can be taught in Master Gardener classes in a variety of ways. One way is to teach the basic principles of permaculture, such as the ethics of permaculture, the design principles of permaculture, and the elements of permaculture design.

Another way to teach permaculture is to teach specific permaculture techniques, such as how to create a food forest, how to design a water harvesting system, or how to build a cob house.

Master Gardeners can also learn about permaculture by visiting permaculture farms and gardens, reading permaculture books and articles, and attending permaculture workshops and conferences.

The Benefits of Teaching Permaculture in Master Gardener Classes

There are many benefits to teaching permaculture in Master Gardener classes. First, it can help to educate Master Gardeners about a more sustainable and productive way to garden.

Second, it can help Master Gardeners to be more successful in their gardening efforts.

Third, it can help Master Gardeners to think about their gardens in terms of the interactions between different elements, such as plants, animals, and the environment.

Fourth, it can help Master Gardeners to work with others to create sustainable and productive gardens.

Fifth, it can help to build stronger communities and create a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Permaculture is a valuable tool that can be used to create sustainable and productive gardens. It is a holistic, design-based, systems-thinking, and community-based approach to gardening that can help Master Gardeners to be more successful in their gardening efforts. Permaculture can be taught in Master Gardener classes in a variety of ways, and there are many benefits to doing so.

I hope this essay has convinced you of the importance of teaching permaculture in Master Gardener classes. If you are a Master Gardener, I encourage you to learn more about permaculture and incorporate it into your gardening practices. If you are not a Master Gardener, I encourage you to find a Master Gardener in your area and learn more about permaculture from them.

Zone 5b - Looking for help. I am a novice gardener. I try to plant native, beneficial plantings for birds and pollinators in our suburban Illinois backyard. When we moved into our home 17 years ago, one of the first landscaping projects we did was to plant 10 Blue Muffin Viburnums along the property line on either side of our yard for privacy hedge that would also attract and feed cardinals. Despite getting loads of flowers in May and June, I have never once seen a berry so today I Googled it and was shocked to find out that it needs to cross pollinate with another viburnum cultivar (such as Chicago Lustre, Autumn Jazz or Northern Burgundy). I always thought I missed them somehow and now I'm devastated that we have wasted 17 years. I want to fix this asap. Our backyard is on the east side of our house and after noon, the 20 feet closest to the house is full shade but the rest of the yard is full sun for the entire day. What cultivar do you recommend from the 3 above or even another one that you think would be better. And, how many do I need ensure the cross pollination of the 10 mature Blue Muffin's and how close do they need to be? Lastly, my viburnum are flowering right now. If I buy the new viburnum this weekend and just put them around the yard in their nursery pots, will the cross-pollination occur naturally in time for berries this year or should I do anything to help it along? Thank you!

I've been looking for a master gardener program that focuses more on food production than a pretty lawn. And I want it to be online, so I can take it at my own pace. Does anyone know of anything like that? Ideally, it would also be organic, so I don't have to do the guesswork on translating conventional methods to organic.

I'm a hopeful homesteader with a big problem - huge, scary thickets of himalayan blackberry encroaching upon my garden from the edges, in. I've had tarps and cardboard layed out all summer to help kill anything in more of the centre of the garden, and worked in the spring to cut most of the canes down, but now they're all back with vigor. The edges are really really bad and beyond what I believe I'd be able to control through digging out roots.

I have been researching chemical control methods, and have determined I should cut everything down to the base and apply herbicide to the cut stumps.

As I live in Canada, my options for herbicides are limited (mostly glyphosate based products that I don't feel comfortable using in a garden where I'll be growing food). So I'm looking for suggestions - does anyone here know of "less toxic" or less environmentally persistent herbicides I could use to effectively kill Himilayan blackberries (applied by painting the stumps) - that are available in Canada?

My hope is to do this during the next few weeks and then lay the garden to rest over the winter so that it's ok to plant in the spring